Mildred (Rinker) Bailey’s childhood home

Mildred Bailey's childhood home was replaced by this telephone exchange building.

Mildred (Rinker) Bailey’s childhood home was at 1214 W. Mansfield St. It is a few blocks from the home of school friends at 1028 W. Chelan St. where Mildred sang and played piano for fun. Bailey is the sister of Al Rinker, who helped Bing Crosby get started in show business. The Rinker grandfather was a full-blooded Coeur d’Alene Indian. Bailey died in New York in 1981. Al Rinker died in California in 1982 following a long career composing songs for films and music set to select poetry by Robert Burns.

Mildred Bailey is said to have performed here as a child, entertaining friends at this home in the 1028 block of West Chelan Street, several blocks north of her childhood home. (Mike Prager)